FM Nirmala Sitharaman heads to London for high-level economic talks

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in London for a three-day visit from April 8 to April 13, starting Tuesday. During her trip, she will hold high-level talks on key economic issues, including discussions on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United Kingdom.

Sitharaman will also take part in the India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), where topics like market access for goods and services, dispute resolution systems, and financial services will be discussed.

“The 13th EFD is an important platform for both countries, allowing in-depth discussions at the ministerial and official levels, as well as among working groups and regulatory bodies. Topics include investments, financial services, regulations, UPI linkages, taxation, and illicit financial flows,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

For India, key focus areas in the 13th EFD include cooperation in the IFSC GIFT City, investments, insurance and pension sectors, FinTech and the digital economy, and finding ways to fund climate initiatives in an affordable and sustainable manner.

On the sidelines of the EFD, the Finance Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with senior officials, attend investor roundtables, and meet leaders of major financial institutions and companies.

Additionally, Sitharaman and the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer are expected to launch new reports and initiatives to boost future collaborations between the two nations.